Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease, transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is widely distributed throughout tropical regions of the world; the African region reports the majority of cases.

Malaria is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

Anopheles mosquitoes generally bite between sunset and sunrise and are attracted to humans by several factors including heat, odour and carbon dioxide exhaled during breathing.

Malaria is widely distributed throughout tropical regions in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), the Middle East and Oceania.

P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe life-threatening illness if not diagnosed and treated promptly. All travellers who present with fever and a history of travel to a malaria risk area should be evaluated urgently for malaria.

The choice of drug treatment depends on the causative species.